Poonam Chawla

The choices we make

May 1, 2023

My mother wore soft gloves to protect her hands whilstcooking because dad claimed often and vociferously, that he could not abide anyone else’s food – by “anyone else” he meant,of course, the poor, unwashed masses who sought kitchen duty. Why did shego along with his demands?Was it because shewas afraid...

Age before beauty

March 20, 2023

It was an odd hour. Around 11.45 am. Perhaps that accounted for the slightly rumpled, desultory state of the restaurant my girlfriend and I picked for lunch. A hostess had us seated but then disappeared in the back, where, from the clamour and clatter ensuing in the kitchen one assumed...

Code of conduct?

March 6, 2023

My husband, because we were on vacation and full to the brim with vitamin D and bonhomie, or possibly because he wanted to show off his Punjabi, always greeted him with a “SasryakalSardarji. Ki haalhain?” He was wary, at first, the doorman. Unused to talking to hotel guests. Satisfied with...

Giving versus Enabling

February 20, 2023

It was as if a malevolent spirit made up its mind to devote all its time to rolling up construction dust, traffic fumes, and spittle bombs into tight little wads to assault my husband with, the moment he walked out the door. Succumb! Succumb! It shouted at his back. Well....

Understanding the act of giving and receiving care

September 23, 2021

One seldom rises at the hour of prayer, thinking, let me be neglectful to the elderly parent, relative or in-law living under my roof, today. But somewhere between shrugging into a starched shirt and biting into your morning toast, the brain goes into overdrive; it separates into neat little boxes,...